Big waves bring wonder and warnings

SANTA CRUZ -- Mother Nature is bringing her drum circle to the Monterey Bay on Friday.

Booming surf is expected to pound the coast from Big Sur to the Sonoma County, bringing waves up to 20 feet in many spots and bigger swells around Half Moon Bay, near today's Body Glove Mavericks Invitational. But what is bliss for many locals -- particularly with the unseasonably warm weather -- also can pose a danger.

"We just tell people to always keep their eye on the ocean and don't turn their back," said Coast Guard Petty Officer Loumania Stewart, who urged boaters, fishermen and beachgoers near the shore to exercise caution.

The surf has been high most of the week. Thursday morning a row of onlookers at Steamer Lane gazed at surfers whipping through overhead breaks. Wave heights rose through the day and are expected to peak Friday.

Not only is there large surf, but the waves will come intermittently, which officials warned could give people a false sense of security before a big one comes crashing in. The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf advisory through Friday evening.

"People should never turn their back on the ocean, but also be aware that there's a heightened risk of rip currents," said Austin Cross, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Monterey.

The waves are the product of offshore storms, though the parched Central Coast won't see any of the rain: The forecast is dry through the next week.

State Parks lifeguards have posted local beaches with high-surf warnings. The crashing surf can be enticing for photographers and others who want a closer look, but extreme caution is being urged.

Lifeguard supervisor Chip Bockman ticked off a list of warnings: Keep an eye on the waves. Know your entry and exit points before going in the water. Know what the tides are. Don't turn your back on the waves. Stay off wet rocks.

"It'll look like, 'Oh, you can walk out here and do this,' and all the sudden a set comes in and washes you off," Bockman said.

The North Coast is especially dangerous, Bockman said. And people frequently get washed into the water.

"It does happen a lot, and a lot of times it ends in tragedy before anyone can get up there and make a rescue," Bockman said.

The Coast Guard is warning boaters to make sure they have live vests, keep survival gear on board and check weather before heading out. They also recommend boaters file a "float plan" with friends or relatives before departure spelling out when they're leaving, where they're going and when they'll be back.

Officials offer one more piece of advice as well: Understand that your dog can probably swim better that you can.

"Don't run after your dog," Stewart said. "They can typically take care of themselves."